Well, it seems a long time since I updated my blog (again). But I promise it isn't because I've been idle - far from it - I've had a fantastic and slightly frantic few months!

So, I thought I would add some of the paintings I have been making whilst I've been away - starting with the most recent ones...

The quiet green boat

Crinan colours

Soft sky at Carsaig

Little boats study

We had the most amazing weather for our '5 Day Painting Retreat' in Crinan last month - a lovely group of people and a fabulous location all combined to make a pretty dreamy week for a painter-tutor like me...and if that wasn't enough, my lovely group even gave me time to do some paintings too...heaven! So here they are, my little studies from the divine West Coast of Scotland.

Thurne Mill won second prize at A Brush with the Broads

The week before Scotland, I was in Norfolk, at 'A Brush with the Broads' plein air painting festival. My little painting of 'Thurne Mill' won second prize, voted for by the other artists!

Big Sky

Boat Sheds at Potter Heigham

Other studies from the beautiful Norfolk Broads, we were very lucky with the weather again, and such a great time of year to paint, soft light and long shadows - perfect!

The week before I was in in The Broads...I was in Norfolk again...this time in Wells-next-the-Sea! I took part in 'Paint-Out Wells', a plein air competition held over a weekend at locations around the town and coast. The weather was less kind this time - but the people made up for it with sunshine of their own.

High Tide, East Quay, Wells

Sunday Afternoon

This little study of 'The Globe Inn' was painted for the Quick Draw on Sunday. I'm pleased to say that the painting now permanently resides in the pub!

Racing the Tide!

The Broken Door, Brancaster Staithe

Prior to Norfolk, I had a little time in Shropshire, and I managed to squeeze in a few local painting trips near my home.

Fields below The Lawley

The Old Fire Engine Shed

Tall Barn

I had the honour of being an invited artist again this year at Wexford's 'Art in the Open' plein air festival - and what a year it was! A great atmosphere as always and some wonderful painters from around the world gathered together to make this a fantastic 10 days in Ireland

Harbour Rhythms

Ballyhack Boat

Making the best of it - a rainy day at Curraclough

I tagged on a short break to the West of Ireland after AITO - but I just couldn't resist a couple of little paintings - there's no such thing as a holiday when you love your job!

Silver Strand, Achill

Keem Bay, Achill Island

I travelled straight to Ireland from France, having just enjoyed a beautiful week of teaching around Limoges with a group of wonderful people. We all made firm friends around the table and were sad to leave our lovely country house at the end of the week. I made a couple of demo paintings during the week, and managed to find time for a couple of others too. The haybales were painted in the early morning on a day that temperatures soared to 38 degrees -unusually hot for Limoges!

Pots in the Yard

Happy days

Geese in the shade

Hydrangeas at the Chateau

Phew! That's all for now! You can see many of these paintings and lots more in my exhibition at Ludlow Assembly Rooms from 1st December 2016